Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Luanda, Angola, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 7th African Union–European Union (AU–EU) Summit, the Statehouse confirmed on Monday, November 24.
He touched down at about 2:00 p.m. local time.
Upon arrival, Shettima was received and briefed by senior officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Ambassador Aminu Nasir, Charge d’Affaires in Addis Ababa; Ambassador Faith Ekwekwo, Charge d’Affaires in Brussels; and Ambassador Maxy Ogbede, Charge d’Affaires in Luanda, among others, ahead of high-level engagements.
Shettima is attending on behalf of President Tinubu, who cancelled his trips to South Africa and Angola to manage urgent national security concerns following the abduction of over 300 people, mostly schoolchildren, in the past week.
The Vice President departed Johannesburg late Sunday after representing Nigeria at the G20 summit.
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Over the two-day summit, themed “Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism,” Shettima will participate in discussions on Africa–EU cooperation in security, trade, peace, migration, climate action, sustainable development, the digital economy, and opportunities for youth and innovators.
He is also expected to deliver Nigeria’s statement during a closed-door session on Peace, Security, and Governance.
The summit is co-chaired by Angolan President and African Union chairperson João Lourenço and European Council President António Costa, marking 25 years of AU–EU formal cooperation.
Trade between Africa and the EU reached nearly $410 billion in 2024, with $217 billion in EU imports from Africa and about $191 billion in exports.
The gathering will also include statements from the AU Commission Chairperson, the European Commission and Council Presidents, the UN Secretary-General, and host President Lourenço, culminating in a joint AU–EU press briefing.
The summit remains a critical platform for strengthening Africa–EU relations and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships across both continents.